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Ways to Maximize Your Space in a Small Home

When you are living in a big urban area like Philadelphia, often you don’t have much space to work with at home. Instead of resigning yourself to living a life of clutter, consider using these small redecorating and remodeling tricks to create more space for yourself and your family. With some creativity, you can transform a crowded room into an organized, comfortable space.

Add mirrors to make the space feel bigger.

You may have never noticed just how much a mirror (or even glass doors as opposed to solid ones) can expand the look of your space. That’s because it breaks up the solid walls that can make you feel claustrophobic. When you live in a small space, you need to take advantage of every opportunity you have to make it feel larger. Invest in some mirrors for your walls, and make sure you are emphasizing your windows as well.

Purge everything you don’t need.

If you’re trying to save space, it’s absolutely crucial that you keep your possessions down to just the basics. Go through your entire home and get rid of what you don’t use, or any items that serve the same purpose. For example, if you have two bookshelves when you really only need one, consider donating one and filling the leftover one completely. You’ll be surprised by how much more space you have.

Hang things up.

Even when you don’t have much space on the floor, you might be surprised by just how much space you have vertically. Take advantage of your wall and ceiling space by hanging things up. You can add hooks on the walls for items like scarves, jackets, and hats, or you could even hang some of your pots and pans from the ceiling! Additionally, take advantage of whatever closet space you do have by hanging your clothes. This will eliminate the need for a dresser, which can take up tons of space.

Install wall shelving and cabinets.

Again, this is a great way to take advantage of vertical space. If there’s any wall space that you aren’t using, buy a shelving unit and store your books, tools, or other knick-knacks up there. You should also consider installing cabinetry on your walls. It will provide you with more space for items that you may not want on display, like all of your silverware or even toiletries and medication.

Invest in multipurpose items.

Look for pieces of furniture or storage that can do double duty to make the most of your space. For example, look for a couch that can be converted into a bed, or a desk that has built-in storage for your books and documents. Although these items may be slightly more expensive than what you were expecting, they make a great investment because they kill two (or more) birds with one stone when it comes to furniture and decorating.

Make it easy to get rid of things.

Small spaces can become cluttered really quickly, so to prevent this from happening, make it convenient to throw things away. Place trash cans at various points throughout your apartment, and make them very accessible. Several times per week, make a point to dispose of your trash and go through the apartment getting rid of things. If you work from home, you may also want to invest in a paper shredder, which makes it easy to get rid of excess documents very quickly.

Look for items that fold.

Similar to investing in hanging mechanisms, folding furniture or storage can be another great way to save space. For studio apartments, you may consider a murphy bed, which can give you much more space to work during the day. Another great folding tool is fold-out desks or counter space, which give you extra space without cutting off important walking or sitting areas. Many furniture companies are now creating items that are designed to save space, so you can find an item that works for you.